From Hebrews 10:19-21, there are two summarizing reasons for the conclusions. The participial phrase in verse 19 and 20 qualifies: “Having… boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus.” This, of course, refers back to an implied “we,” which can only be talking about those who were genuine Christians. This is one among many blessings that Christians have received, the ability to approach the holiness of God by right of their connection to Jesus’ blood, whereby forgiveness and sanctification may be obtained. No other creature, spiritual or terrestrial, has that amazing blessing to be able to come near the creator of all that is. Verse 20 continues to describe how this is so: “By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh.” Jesus has provided a “new… way” as the “the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him.” (Heb. 5:9) It is a “living way,” in that He said, “I am the way, the truth and the life…” (John 14:6).
Much more could be said about “the veil” being the barrier through which the High Priest would pass in order to enter into the presence of God. Much more could be said about the Old Testament veil being a symbolic type of Jesus’ flesh, the connection He had to the Jewish people as well as the barrier through which He had to pass, the veil that was torn, and the Covenant that was broken in His fleshly sufferings. The Hebrew writer connects this to his conclusions, saying, “Seeing that this is true… therefore, let us…”
The second reason for the conclusions is in verse 21: “…having an high priest over the house of God.” This is far more significant than the simplicity of the statement appears to be saying, but it is not within the scope of this article to expand much on the idea. Suffice it to say that “we,” the genuine Christians” not only have the ability to approach the holiness of God, but we have a unifying force, bringing us all into one “house,” that is, one family, one group of people called out to serve under the leadership of our High Priest who has entered into the heavenly abode of God. He, being our High Priest, allows us such hope and confidence that the inspired penman’s conclusions can be nothing other than entirely valid: “…therefore, let us…”
Taking consideration of the exclusive glories of belonging to God’s people, the Hebrew writer says in 10:22, “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith…” While this context clearly speaks of drawing near to God, the means by which this is done is especially true when speaking in terms of drawing near one another as the “house of God.” The two ideas cannot be successfully separated. Drawing near to God is a simultaneous movement toward God’s people. This also has its grammatically attached qualifiers: “…having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.” This is descriptive of “a true heart in full assurance of faith.” One may have the complete confidence of a true heart when God has cleansed the conscience as we have submitted our bodies to be baptized in water by faith (cf. Colossians 2:12)
A second conclusion is drawn in 10:23: “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)” There is not much of this verse that needs explaining. Seeing that we have Christ on our side, we ought to make certain we remain on His side by staying true to the profession of faith, just as He is faithful to His promise to us.
A third conclusion involved is in 10:24-39, the central focus being verse 24: “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works.” He gives a great amount of explanation of how this is done, and what are the consequences of failure. He explains that “forsaking the assembling of yourselves together” (Heb. 10:25) is opposing behavior to the accomplishment of “draw[ing] near with a true heart,” or “hold[ing] fast the profession of our faith,” or “consider[ing] one another to provoke unto love and good works.”
Staying away from the assembling of God’s house, avoiding the worship of the Lord is a failure to draw the right conclusions, a failure to honor properly the High Priest in Heaven, or to recognize the glory of the “new and living way.” Verse 25 reaffirms the approved posture of the Christian is in contrast with a careless negligence toward the “house of God, “but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” When we have that intent of heart, so looking forward to “the day,” we may say with the psalmist, “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.” (Psalm 122:1)
-S. A. Klaft
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